Saudi Arabia seeks to increase pilgrim capacity

Prince Ahmad bin Abdulaziz, Minister of the Interior and Chairman of the Supreme Hajj Committee, said that all new projects relating to the holy places aim at increasing the accommodation capacity for pilgrims and visitors during the Hajj and Umrah seasons. In a press statement after chairing a meeting of the Supreme Hajj Committee at his office in Jeddah yesterday evening, he said the meeting discussed several issues, including new projects in the holy sites. On managing crowds in Makkah during the last ten days of Ramadan in view of the holding of the summit of Islamic solidarity in Makkah, he said that the Kingdom has experience in this field and wished the summit success saying worshippers from the kingdom and abroad will cooperate on facilitating the affairs of Umrah and prayers in the Grand Mosque in Makkah. With regard to those who perform Hajj without a permit, Prince Ahmad said that they are considered offenders and will be held responsible for what they committed and urged people to apply for Hajj permits early. Prince Ahmad said that those who use Hajj to spread division or for political purposes will be dealt with positively by preventing this from happening.